EWC of Saint-Gobain Condemns Firm’s US Union-Busting

The European Works Council of French firm Saint-Gobain strongly condemned the company’s anti-union behaviour in the US state of Massachusetts. Meeting in Paris 12 May, the Saint-Gobain Convention for European Social Dialogue stated, “The attitude of Saint-Gobain Norton USA management is in total disaccord with the Charter adopted and encouraged by Group management … This Charter is not a ‘variable geometry’ document. It must apply everywhere, in every country and in every situation.” US managers are engaged in surface bargaining for an initial collective agreement being negotiated by affiliate United Auto Workers for 800 workers. The UAW organized the Worcester, Massachusetts, plant in August 2001 but after 120 bargaining meetings, workers are no closer to a first contract than when bargaining commenced in 2002. Employee representatives on the EWC, in concert with French affiliates FCECFDT and CGT FO, expressed their continued solidarity with American workers as part of the statement.